ZURICH (Reuters) – FIFA presidential candidate Jerome Champagne fears that soccer’s unpredictability, central to its pulling power, is under threat as the game’s top players are concentrated at a few rich clubs based in a handful of prosperous countries.

Although FIFA has been dominated by corruption scandals and controversy over the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, Champagne said that unequal distribution of resources was the “central issue” facing soccer’s governing body today.

ZURICH, Oct 3 (Reuters) – FIFA presidential candidate Jerome Champagne fears that soccer’s unpredictability, central to its pulling power, is under threat as the game’s top players are concentrated at a few rich clubs based in a handful of prosperous countries.

Although FIFA has been dominated by corruption scandals and controversy over the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, Champagne said that unequal distribution of resources was the “central issue” facing soccer’s governing body today.

MILAN (Reuters) – Serie A favourites Juventus and AS Roma, both enjoying a 100 percent record after five league matches of the season, clash on Sunday in a match which, even at such an early stage, could be hugely significant in the title race.

The possible presence of veteran Juventus playmaker Andrea Pirlo on one side and his Roma counterpart Francesco Totti on the other could add even greater spice to the meeting of last season’s champions and runners-up (Sunday 1600 GMT).

MILAN, Oct 2 (Reuters) – Serie A favourites Juventus and AS Roma, both enjoying a 100 percent record after five league matches of the season, clash on Sunday in a match which, even at such an early stage, could be hugely significant in the title race.

The possible presence of veteran Juventus playmaker Andrea Pirlo on one side and his Roma counterpart Francesco Totti on the other could add even greater spice to the meeting of last season’s champions and runners-up (Sunday 1600 GMT).

BERNE (Reuters) – FC Basel’s shock Champions League win over Liverpool has once again shown that there is life outside Europe’s big five leagues, even if it requires a constant balancing act to remain competitive.

The Swiss champions invariably lose two or three top players every season but have become masters at finding affordable replacements, often in places that bigger clubs do not seem to look.

BERNE, Oct 2 (Reuters) – FC Basel’s shock Champions League win over Liverpool has once again shown that there is life outside Europe’s big five leagues, even if it requires a constant balancing act to remain competitive.

The Swiss champions invariably lose two or three top players every season but have become masters at finding affordable replacements, often in places that bigger clubs do not seem to look.

BASEL (Reuters) – Mario Balotelli was praised for a hard-working performance against FC Basel by Liverpool coach Brendan Rodgers on Wednesday, even though the maverick Italian striker seemed to spend much of the game on the ground asking for free kicks.

“He went close with a free kick where he had a great shot. He knows his job is to create and score goals, and he’s working hard to get into the areas. That’s what we’re asking of him,” Rodgers told reporters after his side’s 1-0 Champions League defeat against the Swiss champions. “I think he worked hard. It’s obviously his job to create and score goals, and he’s working…

BASEL, Oct 1 (Reuters) – Mario Balotelli was praised for a hard-working performance against FC Basel by Liverpool coach Brendan Rodgers on Wednesday, even though the maverick Italian striker seemed to spend much of the game on the ground asking for free kicks.

“He went close with a free kick where he had a great shot. He knows his job is to create and score goals, and he’s working hard to get into the areas. That’s what we’re asking of him,” Rodgers told reporters after his side’s 1-0 Champions League defeat against the Swiss champions.

BASEL (Reuters) – Swiss champions FC Basel claimed another English Premier League scalp when they took advantage of a sloppy and lethargic Liverpool to win 1-0 with a Marco Streller goal in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The raw talent of Basel youngsters Ahmed Hamoudi, Derlis Gonzalez and Breel Embolo, combined with the experience of the wily Streller and a fervent 36,000 crowd, was too much for Liverpool, who were toothless in attack and shoddy at the back.

BASEL (Reuters) – Swiss champions FC Basel claimed another English Premier League scalp when they deservedly beat a sloppy Liverpool 1-0 with a Marco Streller goal in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The Basel captain turned the ball in from close range after goalkeeper Simon Mignolet saved a goal-bound header seven minutes into the second half as the Swiss pulled off another European upset. Basel, who bounced back from a 5-1 mauling by Real Madrid in their opening game, have previously beaten Chelsea and Manchester United in the Champions League in the last four seasons and knocked Tottenham Hotspur out of the Europa League. Liverpool, who began Group B with a home win over Ludogorets Razgrad, gave Basel goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik very little to do and Raheem Sterling fluffed their best chance in the 75th minute when Adam Lallana sent him clear but he hesitated too long and was dispossessed.